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I have a chronic pain condition as well

Posted By: sm on 2005-09-08
In Reply to: THANK YOU - ANGELA LEE

It is giving me a break right now so I won't talk too much about it so I don't wake it up.:) This is my first relief in 10 years from severe RA which seems to have been in every joint at one time or another. So, totally understand your emotions on needing to feel like a useful member of society and take care of your responsibilities. Before RA, I worked for 17 years. I did try the disability route and was denied 5 years ago 5 times! Never tried again. I didn't want to then but to help the husband with the bills, I thought it was best and it would have been good for the marriage as well.

The hips keep me from sitting long periods, but you have MT companies who will work with you. One I work for now wants at least 800/lines per day but prefers 1000+. However, mentioned it was okay to break frequently as long as when the MT is on that the MT is very productive. So you might have a longer work day than the other MTs. However, there is hope. I would say even with your nursing background and good grasp of medical terminology and anatomy/physiology, you should still find a program in transcription or a good mentor or both. My heart goes out to you. I thought of nursing and my condition is the only reason I didn't go for it, but it is in demand, that and technology jobs are in demand also. I try to stick with the jobs that are in high demand.

I am going to try to leave a web site for you to take a look around that will give you an idea of what companies expect an MT to know:

http://www.hpisum.com/home.ihtml

You will have to cut and paste the address in the address box, but there is a lot of information there. Other posters may have more information for you. Best wishes.


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I'm sorry, but I believe that is the worst condition possible :(
Worse than critical.

So sorry.
The big thing with them seems to be that it MUST BE in the EXACT same CONDITION as
purchase. I was on the end of returning and did get a timely refund.
This is not considered a disabling condition...sm
There are wrist supports that you can wear that will prevent this. I use one called a "thumb-wrist support." The web site to get it is:
http://www.sportstek.net/thumb_and_wrist.htm

Since I work more the usual 2 jobs, I wear this starting about 2 hours in and don't experience any pain whatsoever. I use mostly the one on my right hand but if I work more or through my usual days off, I use the left one as well.

You'll find out that temporary Work Comp is available for this condition, but never a condition that would afford you disability.
My cocker spaniel has a skin condition.
Her claws are brittle and long, her paw pads are thickened, she's itchy and smelly, and she has dead skin cells built up in the same areas you described.  We did the antibiotics, steroids, allergy meds, and everything else without good results.  I put a stop to it when the vet wanted to do $1,000 worth of tests and biopsies.  (And switched vets!)  The first vet called it allergies, seborrhea, keratinitis, and a bunch of other guesses.  She also has mattery eyes and frequent ear infections.  We rescued her from the pound 10 years ago, so she's an old girl.  I have to keep her shaved and wash her with either a prescription shampoo or Neutrogena T-gel.
Condition of the Industry Opinions Needed!!
A question for the old timers! Only because the newer MTs might not honestly know. I have been in QA for a few years, and I hate it. I love transcribing - its my gift and where my heart is. That said, I so want to return to MTing, but am very afraid. When I QA, I get nothing but absolutely garbage ESLs. Horrible. Should be deported-type of dictations. I used to be great at ESLs when an MT, but only got occasional dictator who could bring me to tears. So, I am thinking that perhaps I just get constant garbage thru QA because that's what QA is - the garbage depository for ESLs!! But when I read these boards, MTs are complaining all the time about how horrible the dictators are these days, and how they can't keep up their line counts, etc. Has it changed that much these last few years since I've been QAing? Are most MTs simply getting the junk dictators? If so, I'd just rather stay put in QA and pass the time til I retire. Or, do you think this is just a result of my being in QA and just seeing the pits of dictators?? I know its not an absolute answer, but I would love opinions. I make a decent living getting paid hourly at QA, and am so uncertain of the waters out there right now. Thanks!
Having the assault taken off his record was a condition of his probation. SM

So, I'm not sure if at the end of his probation if he had to contact anyone or follow it up in anyway.  We know it's not on there anymore because he's going to nursing school now and had to get his CNA license as a prerequisite for the prgram and they did a background check for that.


I'll ask him.  He's not here now.  While I'm working, he and my son are at the boat show figuring out how to spend my paycheck! 


Health insurance preexisting condition
That is correct. However, if you decide to get your own policy that is if you were an IC, be careful, and ask questions. When I became an IC, we got a policy from United Healthcare Golden Rule, and after we started paying, got the policy and did not cover any preexisting conditions. So, it ended up being a major medical policy. However, when working for an employer, and getting that insurance, preexisting would be covered and probably proof of continuous coverage or a wait period may be requested. Definitely check with HR.
I feel your pain. If at teaching hospital, great pain. SM
Some doctors do give standard discharge summaries, so you could just make copy and then pull it up. It is not easy, especially when they give 20 lines of lab results.
chronic illness
God bless you.  I have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and I still work full time, I have a friend diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and she still works full time..Hang in there, honey..You can live with a chronic illness..I have lived with my SLE for 36 years and my friend with multiple sclerosis for 10 years..
Chronic Yawner!

Anyone ever have to put up with a chronic yawner who dictates during/through a yawn? How could anyone be THAT tired? Life must be tough when you make more than +$250,000 a year--poor thing--wish I could get that exhausted!


Chronic chapped lips
This seems so goofy --- go to the dermatologist for chapped lips?  I have had this problem consistently for the past couple of months.  I haven't been sunburned.  My lips are swollen (love the swelling - looks like collagen!  LOL!)  and chapped, can't get enough chapstick (no MQ jokes - LOL).  I read this could be a malignant of premalignant condition and I should see a dermatologist!  Wow!  Anyone have any insight into this problem?  Thanks in advance! 
Can you get cancer from chronic mouth

I have a wisdom tooth that is coming in. I do NOT do well w/ dentists/anesthesia, etc...well a few months back i had an appointment to have this removed.  long story short even though the dentist knew I was freaked out about the local anesthesia he took so long to do the extraction my mouth was no longer numb when the hygenist tested my gum area.  I freaked out, left crying and vowed to never go back to him.  Well now that the tooth is slowly coming in more and more i have an ulcer that seems to be getting bigger from where i am more or less chewing the inside of my mouth. 


It doesn't really hurt or bother me that much, i would much rather deal with the ulcer than have another panic attack/heart racing event from the local at the dentist's office.  My concern is this:  Can you develop cancer from a chronic mouth ulcer? My aunt died of oral (tongue) cancer last year so i'm paranoid about it.


 


Any info you can give is welcom.  Thanks!


I have one PA with a chronic allergy or sinus problem....
which is, of course, not his fault, but makes him very hard to understand.  He has a very deep voice and likes to raise and lower the volume at random.  And at least every other sentence, he says "Excuse me," like he made a mistake, but then just repeats what he said and keeps on going.  He also likes to say, "Delete." a lot.  I think he is even the one who dropped a "F" bomb on me one day. 
Same thing here. I have chronic tinnitus and hear crickets
when it gets really really acute with sinusitis to go with it. People think I am crazy when I tell them I hear crickets but that's what it sounds like.
It already has. I have to work from home because of disability due to chronic disease.
My physicians and visiting nurses are extraordinarily caring individuals who fortunate have (more so than I had previously thought, apparently).

Also, I can understand venting about a situation you feel you have no control over. I assume you desired sympathy or empathy or just someone to say, "I know where you are coming from," but to post incoherently and then lash out at those that reply is only going to add to your frustrations and negative feelings.

I am sorry you feel as though your health care providers don't care if you did, but I am sure that is not the reality of the situation. If you had taken the time to provide context to your rant, then you might have received the type of replies you were looking for, whatever that may have been.

Best of luck to you.
Bells palsy and chronic headaches? Does anyone have any good info or help out there? sm

Unfortunately, I have had Bells palsy for the past 8 years. I got it while pregnant and had a pretty severe case. I was extremely sick with that pregnancy and then ended up with the Bells palsy. In fact, my baby quit growing after I got the Bells palsy! Thank God I was about 32 weeks when I got it. Anyway, over time the symptoms have not been as bad. For the most part to look at me you couldnt tell I had the Bells--until I smiled at you. Then, of course, you would know it. I have regained some use of muscles, but not all. I have been able to get my eye to close, but it is not tight, so I still battle with dry eye every night/morning. My forehead has been completely "dead" since this happened. Even electric stim could not move the muscle! Whenever I get a headache it always seems to settle on the dead part of my forehead. My headaches have been increasing lately, and currently I have had a headache for five days! I have tried Advil, Tylenol and Excedrin Migraine with no relief. My neurologist cant see me until January since I havent been to him for years. I can not afford an MRI right now and have no desire to start taking any type of pain med. Does anyone have any experience with Bells or have any ideas. I was wondering if a TENS unit might help. I have been reading about that on the internet. Sorry this is so long. Thank you for any help. As you can imagine, I am having a very hard time working all day at my computer with this!


I heard crickets til I realized it was winter. Was really the start of chronic
:=
agree - many MT's have chronic back/neck/shoulder problems also
x
After divorce, child chronic illness, involuntary job change, parents illnesses and death, was force
I frequently regret it, the changes it has made to my life, but when life hands you horror, at least there is this "final solution" to your financial situation. I must admit, I sleep better, and I can finally hold my head up, and I no longer feel hopeless. Find the attorney you can work with,get your free consultation and DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU TO DO. If you have doubts, see a 2nd and a 3rd attorney, till you're comfortable with the person you choose.
Low pain...Low pay
Well my subconscious typed pain instead of pay. So you see I am aware of the pain of receiving low pay but it is not my intent to disgrace the field of medical transcription.
I know your pain
My genetic donor has had more wives than I can count, literally. He has seen my children maybe 3 times and the oldest is 25. We were passing through Myrtle Beach and I called to see if we could stop in and see him and she said no, her daughter was coming in and there was no room for us. So now I have not seen him in 14 years. He's 75 now. I check the obits now and then to see if he is alive and found that she had died in August (she was 83). My oldest son and his wife laughed at me because I was smiling when I read it. Knowing him, he is probably remarried by now. I don't waste time "inconveniencing" so-called loved ones. I'd rather just be at home with my children.
pain...
How old is she? If she's having pain after BMs, she needs to see a doctor. I am an expert on this topic, having suffered with abdominal pain most of my life.

She could have endometriosis, adhesions caused from a variety of things, lactose intolerance (though usually this does not cause pain after BMs), a food allergy,a cysts, etc., etc......

Urge her to go to a GYN, who probably will refer her to a GI if the GYN workup is negative.

Good Luck to her!
I know your pain
I have had two miscarriages before.  My heart aches for you.  I know just how you feel.  I am so sorry.
Ear pain
Does anyone suffer from severe ear pain on the outside of the ear?  I have it to the point of not being able to wear my headset on that side and would like to know what others have done in the past.  No infection, just cartilage pain.
I had ear pain
until I started using Dictaphone head phones. Very soft and they don't put a lot of pressure on the ears.
I don't have ear pain but
I do have tinnitus. Can anything be done about that?
ear pain
I just wanted to share my experience with earaches,one time I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe earache. So I looked around the house to see what I could take. Found nothing,so I was in such pain,that I took a swig,and only a swig of whiskey,seagram 7 the pain went away,and never came back,that was about 20 years ago,I don't drink,this was a 2 year old bottle given to us by one of my husband's buisness associates one christmas,however the bottle dissappeared when my mother in law moved in 10 years later. So I am wondering if it would work on the outside of the ear,rubbed on with a cotton ball.
pain
thanks. I was wondering if there was something that I could place on the chair seat. Can you pick this up at drug store?
I so know your pain.
Have you tried using one of those wraparound microwave gel packs made for the back. I could not live without mine.
leg pain
I'm suffering the same right now. Have been with leg elevated all day. I had to not work tonight because of it. You need to walk and don't sit for so long a period of time. Get up every hour or so and move around a little. I get carried away and sit for too many hours at a time, now I'm in real pain today. Take some aspirin or ibuprofen. Raise leg with warm compresses. If not better soon, see a doctor. Just remember to walk a little every day. I haven't been but guess I'm going to start.
Right arm pain?

I have noticed soreness in my right forearm - I guess around the extensor digitorum muscle location.  The only change lately is that I have started using a different computer mouse.  The only difference in this mouse is that it is more reactive and works better than the last.  I did order a wrist support wrap today from TranscriptionGear, thinking this would help, if indeed it is the mouse.  I have also started to use more Keystrokes instead of the mouse. There have been no injuries or strains that I can remember.  I have taken ibuprofen.  I was wondering - has anyone had this symptom from transcribing? 


Pain
I had the same thing a month ago and bought a splint for carpal tunnel. I wore it at night and it seemed to help. I also got a squeezy ball. Hope it helps you!
I know your pain
I have been in transcription for over 15 years and worked doing QA for over 8.  I started recently with a company and have been having an awful QA experience.  Red all over my reports coupled with constant threats.  I dread opening my emails in the morning.  Corrections like sometimes not putting two spaces behind a colon or period, only one, wording phrases the way they are in there samples which are then suddenly changed in the QA, things I blasted about saying I have been told numerous times when I haven't been told once...it's been really awful.  I can see why now when I left my prior supervisory position of over 10 years so many of my transcriptionists were in tears and a few even left the company.  I still keep in touch with several of them.  I never get a kind word or anything from this company, only negative..we'll see how things go.  Keep your chin up.  Everyone makes a mistake.  You've learned from it and now won't make whatever crucial mistakes were on your reports in the future.
I know your pain

I've not had a single email from mine and have been with a company 7 months now. I do special projects and such and never get so much as a thank you.  When I started too, not a single question was ever answered. I even asked to be linked up by other people on the account via messenger and got no response.


When I managed I was always available by phone, messenger, email, etc.  I made sure questions were answered immediately and I even checked my mail when my shift was over and people could call me any hours day or night.  I never wanted anybody to feel like they were just "out there" alone.


 


Right Arm Pain
I just started doing VR a few days ago. I am using the arrow keys a great deal and started having severe pain/achiness in my right arm. I have tried ibuprofen but it doesn't really help. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I am really wondering if I am going to be able to complete my shift today. Thanks in advance!
pain in the $#*^$
Yea, but considering my work is only a few hours of audio a week (less than 10) it wasn't as bad as you think! But now that I need/want to go full time I am NOT doing it without some kind of foot pedal!
I feel your pain.
Don't forget, not getting paid for spaces also contributes to the inability to get a decent line count.

Heck, I can't even get the ESLs I had finally figured out anymore. Sometimes I'll get the same crappy dictator for 10 reports in a row. I've also had full shifts of nothing but ESLs. I sure hope all the other transcription companies are not like this.

I would suggest you start testing for other companies. I did and will soon be going to a better place (I hope). However, at this point, just getting paid for spaces will be a big step up.
I feel your pain!
I can completely relate with what you are saying. I actually have gone through a site called SupportKids.com and they were doing a good job at collecting from him. Whatever they collect they keep 33% of it and send a check to me for the rest. Unfortunately, I have not seen a dime since last December. It's as though he has either switched jobs...or whatever but he has managed to slither away for the time being. I don't get it either how these guys get away with not facing their responsibilities. I have one daughter...and we are doing pretty good...(always could be better) but money is a constant struggle and it bothers me to think that he's out there...dodging his responsibilities. My theory is that one day...he will be old..and alone...I don't get how some guys don't realize how precious children are....Like I said...we have our "money" issues but I would never change anything in my life...(other than getting a check from the sperm donor)...Give that site a look at though. All you need to get started is a court order stating what he should be paying. Good luck and hang in there....you are truly not alone!!
Does anyone know anything about pain management M.D.'s?
For someone with chronic pain, is prescribing pain pills a last resort or is this the norm? 
I feel your pain

I'm the same way...the day after the end of the pay period is terrible.  And, yes, I had to work like a dog yesterday, and didnt make production...so fire me!!!


You're not alone, honey, I know just how you feel. Now, how do we handle this?


I say we go for a long cool dip in the pool, lay in the sun for hours, sip Long Island Iced Tea, and forget about the rest...what cha think?


neck pain
I had neck pain and both wrists/hands, and they thought it was carpal tunnel, finally had an MRI and had herniated disk at C5-C6 with nerve entrapment, ended up with cervical diskectomy and pain went away for a long time, but now back in my neck when I type too much, but I also have spurs in my neck and DJD in my neck. Transcription is a tough job, repetitive motion causing back, neck and arm/hand/wrist pains. I found the Thermawraps that you can buy at the store to help a lot, it has heat and you wear it like a collar. I have been to a chiropracter and acupuncturist and these did not help at all, and that is why I had the surgery. If the neck pain keeps up, I would have an MRI, I waited too long for doctor to go ahead with one, nerve was trapped under C5-C6 for 3 years and that is why I had the surgery. Good luck, hope the pain is relieved. I had it for a long time and it can be terrible.
Elbow pain
What has helped my elbow pain a lot is vitamin B complex vitamin. I read that somewhere and tried it. It helps me and may help someone else.
right knee pain
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Oh I feel your pain
I have a habitual candy sucker. He chews, he slurps, he sucks, all while he's trying to talk. It gets especially bad when he's trying to think about what to say, he really goes to town on his candy then. I seriously want to hit him when he does  this and I'm not a violent person by nature, usually I just resort to yelling at my monitor and removing my headphones at particularly juicy times. 
Do you have a lot of stomach pain. I do.
:
I feel your pain....
I'm going thru similar situations myself at work, being challenged, etc. Can't go into details, as all of -them- are on this board as well. I know its so hard, but my advice is to just stick it out and be relatively silent. If you say anything, try to keep it a positive - avoid the temptation of squashing this idiot. In my case, I have found that the bigger guns really do have a sense of what is going on most times. They just keep quiet as well, but I believe that most times, those above you basically 100% know who is the one playing games, and usually the biggest clue is which of the two of you has class and dignity. Know what I mean? Hard words to live by, I know, as I am struggling with it daily, but so far, so good. Whether its fate, or karma, or justice - whatever your belief system - what does go around, comes around. You will be the victor if you keep a cool head.
abdominal pain

Does anyone have any ideas what could be the culprit for this?  My step daughter is having severe abdominal pain during and after bowel movements, in her upper middle abdomen.  No temperature, no blood in bowel movements.  Thanks for any input!


ABDOMINAL PAIN
Thanks for the great feedback.   Hopefully she will be on the road to recovery !
I feel your pain (sm)

I can relate to your and hope that you get it resolved faster than I did (I am stubborn to a fault).  I had tailbone bone pain that was so severe that I could not bear to sit on a hard surface for more than a minute without agonizing pain that would last for days!  I finally did something I said I would never do - I saw a chiropractor.  I went for adjustments three times weekly, then tapered over a month and have not had a problem since then.  


By the way, my tailbone had actually been broken (apparently during the delivery of my daughter after all the relaxation of the pelvis, etc) and had a bend to it on x-ray, so when I would sit on something hard I was sitting right on the bone.  OUCH! 


Best of luck to you getting this worked out.   


 


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